It was at the Paris Motor Show that Maserati has announced the names of three of its upcoming new cars, two of which are the auto manufacturer’s new SUV and sports saloon.

The luxury car brand’s new production SUV will be named the Levante despite its 2011 concept originally being called the Kubang. What is the significance of the word Levante? Well, it comes from the Via Emilia Levante in Bologna in Italy where the Maserati brothers conceived the idea of the company.

The Levante is expected to launch in 2014.

The Maserati Levante at the Paris Motor Show

While the hardware of the Levante SUV will be based on the Jeep Cherokee, it will receive special trimming and styling as well as italian specific engines to justify its luxury car status and price tag.

Maserati’s new mid-sized sports saloon will be called the Ghibli.

With the addition of the Quattroporte, Maserati hopes to see sales grow to 50, 000 by 2015.